BEFORE directing movies such as “Final Destination 2,” “Cellular,” “The Perfect Storm,” “The Matrix Reloaded” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” among others, David R. Ellis worked for more than 20 years as a Hollywood movie stuntman and stunt coordinator.

But the 53-year-old semi-retired stuntman and self proclaimed “surfer dude” from Malibu says that little of his previous work prepared him for the fun and excitement he had directing more than 450 snakes in “Snakes on a Plane.”

The movie, which opens Aug. 17, also stars Julianna Marguiles and Kenan Thompson.

During a recent phone interview, here’s what he said.

Q: What did you like most about directing “Snakes on a Plane”?

A: Well, when I heard that Samuel L. Jackson was going to be kicking some snake butt in the film, I had to come aboard. But it’s just a fun, popcorn date movie and one that people can see and sit back and enjoy while taking their minds off the real world events.

Q: How did you handle all those snakes?

A: Very, very carefully. Actually we were fortunate to have Jules Sylvester on board. He’s one of Hollywood’s top snake handlers and uses and trains snakes for several movies. He was the one who really had them under control.

Q: Had you ever worked with snakes before?

A: No. Lots of dogs and cats that are much easier to work with, but no snakes.

Q: What were some of the challenges the snakes posed for you?

A: Well, they didn’t seem to listen to me whenever I told them to do something. (Laughter). No, but really they have a mind of their own. And as Jules said, you really can’t make snakes do anything; you really just have to manage them.

Q: Any mishaps on the set?

A: No, except that when we started out we had about 450 snakes and ended up with more as filming went along because some of them started mating.

Q: Were all the snakes real?

A: We had to have a few non-real ones because Samuel L. Jackson kills off a few of them. He cuts their heads off.

Q: So no snakes were harmed in the movie?

A: They were all treated with tender, loving care. Jules made sure of that.

Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a syndicated entertainment writer who lives in Sacramento. Contact her at Lanawriter@worldnet.att.net.